I Love My Librarian Award Press Kit

The I Love My Librarian Award invites library users to recognize the accomplishments of exceptional public, school, college, community college, or university librarians.

Each year up to 10 librarians are selected. Each winner receives a $5,000 cash award in recognition of their outstanding service to their community. They will be honored at a virtual award ceremony during the the American Library Association's LibLearnX: The Library Learning Experience in January 2022 and will receive complimentary online conference registration as part of their prize package.

Since its inception in 2008, library supporters nationwide submitted more than 20,000 nominations for their librarians. A total of 140 librarians have won the award to date.

Each nominee must be a librarian with a master’s degree from a program accredited by the American Library Association in library and information studies or a master’s degree with a specialty in school library media from an educational unit accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation. Nominees must be currently working in a public library, a library at an accredited two- or four-year college or university or at at library at an accredited K-12 school, or have been working at one of these institutions as of March 1, 2021.

The philanthropic foundation Carnegie Corporation of New York generously sponsors the I Love My Librarian Award. The New York Public Library also supports the award. The ALA administers the award through the Communications and Marketing Office, which promotes the value of libraries and librarians.